We regularly represent clients in legal matters related to charter schools and access to education, providing advice related to city, state and federal laws, corporate governance, mergers, tax and employment law. In addition to our work for charter school networks, we provide counsel to the New York City Charter School Center.
Select Projects and Partnerships
Success Academy Pre-K appeal. Our lawyers represent Success Academy Charter Schools-NYC in its efforts to compel the New York City Department of Education to remit funding for Success Academy’s pre-kindergarten classes. In June 2017, the S&C team secured a victory before New York’s Appellate Division, Third Department, receiving a unanimous decision in favor of our clients. These efforts will have implications for charter schools across New York State.
Unity Prep. S&C lawyers were instrumental in the formation of Unity Prep Charter School in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Our lawyers continue to work with Unity on litigation, corporate governance and a variety of other matters ranging from mentoring Unity’s students to serving on its board of directors.
In April 2015, S&C lawyers successfully appealed to the commissioner of the State Education Department in order to obtain free public space from the New York City Department of Education for Unity’s expansion to high school grades.
Valor Academy. Our lawyers have represented Valor Academy, a fifth through eighth grade charter school located in North Hollywood, California, focused on preparing economically disadvantaged youth to excel in demanding high schools and colleges. Our work has included incorporating Valor Academy as a nonprofit in California, assisting with a loan agreement to fund the expansion of the school, resolving a construction dispute and completing its merger with Bright Star Schools.